A spark that shines bright
Meet Nora: born fighting, living fearlessly
From having a sudden and unexplained heart attack at birth to thriving as a young advocate, Nora is living proof that resilience can begin in even the smallest hearts. The generous gift of a heart – and the revolutionary research that made her transplant possible – opened up a lifetime of possibilities for Nora.
Nora and her twin brother Koa.
Nora skipping rope by her house.
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Dr. West's research saves children like Nora.
Born alongside her twin brother, Koa, at 36 weeks, Nora arrived in the world seemingly healthy. But within hours, it was clear something was terribly wrong. After her colour changed and her tiny body went into immediate medical distress, Nora was rushed to SickKids Hospital in Toronto. Within hours she was placed on life support, while doctors scrambled to uncover the cause of her sudden deterioration.
The answer was as shocking as it was heartbreaking: a heart attack at birth. There was no warning, no known cause – just the devastating reality that Nora’s heart couldn’t keep her alive.
For the next five months, Nora fought to survive, her family holding on through long days and longer nights. At last, hope arrived when a donor heart became available.
Even though the heart donor’s blood type was not a match, Nora could go ahead with transplant surgery. This was thanks to revolutionary research conducted by Dr. Lori West and supported by Heart & Stroke funding. The transplant was a success, and remarkably, Nora was released from the hospital less than a week later. At six months old, she could finally go home for the very first time.
Since that day, Nora has flourished in every aspect of her young life. She embraces each new challenge with boundless energy. Today, at eight, she is smart, kind, capable and loving – a little girl who lights up any room she enters. Whether swimming, playing with her brother or stepping in front of a camera to share her story, Nora radiates confidence and joy.
For the past five years, Nora has worked alongside the Heart and Stroke Foundation, lending her story and her sparkle to campaigns and events that inspire and inform others. But the transplant is just one chapter in her story — it doesn’t define her. Along with her family, she’s using her story to inspire others, because after all they’ve been through, they understand how much it helps to know you’re not alone.
Six days after her transplant, Nora was going strong. Now she is a vibrant and active girl who loves doing gymnastics. All possible thanks to Dr. Lori West’s incredible discovery.
Nora’s family was thrilled to have the chance to surprise Dr. Lori West by saying thank you in person. The researcher’s breakthrough gave their gravely ill baby the chance to grow up to be the brilliant young girl she is today.
- See the researchers working on more life-saving breakthroughs
- Learn more about congenital heart disease
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The gift that keeps on beating
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Bravery in every beat
